More than just hot air: Is there a Pufferfish in your aquarium?

[Peace River]

More than just hot air: Is there a Pufferfish in your aquarium?

The pufferfish is a unique fish for many reasons as many of us who have had them in our aquariums know. Beyond their ability to inflate when stressed, the personality of most pufferfish is very expressive. In fact, it has been suggested that pufferfish may be closest example of a traditional, interactive pet within the aquarium space. However, puffers do have their own requirements and tankmates, water parameters, and other factors need to be considered when making a commitment to these amazing creatures. Many hobbyists admire these fish from afar, however a few decide to go all in and add a pufferfish to their tank. What about you – is there a pufferfish in your aquarium?

Photo by @realreef7

This QOTD is sponsored by: www.tidalgardens.com

“The goal of Tidal Gardens is to offer the highest quality corals to those seeking a piece of that world without destroying it. We hope to instill a deep appreciation for the natural reefs and help develop a self-sustaining hobby that no longer requires the collection of fish and corals.”

 

[Reefer Matt]

Absolutely! In fact, mine even made his own video on himself! Very cool fish, but not usually reef safe.

 

[jasonrusso]

Yes I have a porcupine fish, not a puffer.

He's truly an Aqua pet and quite the glutton at feeding time. His name is spike because he has 3 broken spikes on his back that I thought he would grow out of, but they keep growing as well.

 

[reefermadnes5]

Got him in 21. Was such an awesome fish. Was with us 2 awesome years. Was my first marine fish. Had his own tank. I learned the hard way all wild caught fish should be dewormed. Ive taken my tank in a different direction and wont do another. My heart broke when we burried him. Too awesome to replace.

 

[Pufferlover95]

I have multiple and I absolutely love them!!

 

[Jmp998]

@AydenLincoln

 

[Sump Crab]

I had a saddle back puffer in my reef and it was a cool fish. It never bothered any corals but loved to eat critters. Unfortunately, think the flow in my reef was too much for it to handle. I saw it get sucked up by my powerhead once and was able to save it, the second time I didn't find it until it had died.

 

[cre1024]

A bit unconventional, but this green spotted puffer is the reason I have a reef tank in the first place. I got this fella for my classroom tank in 2022, when it was a freshwater tank. After learning I would be teaching Environmental Science this school year, I started transitioning the water to brackish, then eventually full marine. The tank is now doing great as a mixed-reef tank, and the GSP is still a centerpiece

 

[reef guy 56]

I have multiple and I absolutely love them!!

I’m jealous that you have 3 puffers

 

[jasonrusso]

Got him in 21. Was such an awesome fish. Was with us 2 awesome years. Was my first marine fish. Had his own tank. I learned the hard way all wild caught fish should be dewormed. Ive taken my tank in a different direction and wont do another. My heart broke when we burried him. Too awesome to replace.

Please explain.

 

[jasonrusso]

I have multiple and I absolutely love them!!

How big is the tank for these messy guys!

 

[nano reef]

More than just hot air: Is there a Pufferfish in your aquarium?

The pufferfish is a unique fish for many reasons as many of us who have had them in our aquariums know. Beyond their ability to inflate when stressed, the personality of most pufferfish is very expressive. In fact, it has been suggested that pufferfish may be closest example of a traditional, interactive pet within the aquarium space. However, puffers do have their own requirements and tankmates, water parameters, and other factors need to be considered when making a commitment to these amazing creatures. Many hobbyists admire these fish from afar, however a few decide to go all in and add a pufferfish to their tank. What about you – is there a pufferfish in your aquarium?

Photo by @realreef7

This QOTD is sponsored by: www.tidalgardens.com

“The goal of Tidal Gardens is to offer the highest quality corals to those seeking a piece of that world without destroying it. We hope to instill a deep appreciation for the natural reefs and help develop a self-sustaining hobby that no longer requires the collection of fish and corals.”

More than just hot air: Is there a Pufferfish in your aquarium?

The pufferfish is a unique fish for many reasons as many of us who have had them in our aquariums know. Beyond their ability to inflate when stressed, the personality of most pufferfish is very expressive. In fact, it has been suggested that pufferfish may be closest example of a traditional, interactive pet within the aquarium space. However, puffers do have their own requirements and tankmates, water parameters, and other factors need to be considered when making a commitment to these amazing creatures. Many hobbyists admire these fish from afar, however a few decide to go all in and add a pufferfish to their tank. What about you – is there a pufferfish in your aquarium?

Photo by @realreef7

This QOTD is sponsored by: www.tidalgardens.com

“The goal of Tidal Gardens is to offer the highest quality corals to those seeking a piece of that world without destroying it. We hope to instill a deep appreciation for the natural reefs and help develop a self-sustaining hobby that no longer requires the collection of fish and corals.”

I dont have one because of the reasons you posted but man, Would I ever love to have one! They are so cute and full of personality!

I have watched you tubes of them and how excited they get when the owners come home!

 

[reefermadnes5]

Please explain.

He went belly up for 24 hours and passed and a worm was popping from his anus. I didnt know the stringy white poop was the sign. Seemed normal until he wasnt.

 

[bubbgee]

He went belly up for 24 hours and passed and a worm was popping from his anus. I didnt know the stringy white poop was the sign. Seemed normal until he wasnt.

Yes, "Seemed normal until it wasn't" applies to the hobby in so many ways. Sorry for your loss.

I kept a porcupine puffer when I started in saltwater with FOWLR tanks and nothing makes me smile more when coming home to him and he's waiting for his food with smiles and all.

 

[AydenLincoln]

HEWBIE!!!! I love him with all my heart. He’s my saltwater puppy dog. You truly haven’t experienced the joy of owning an aquarium until you get a pufferfish. They are one of the smartest most personable fish you can keep.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Yes I have a porcupine fish, not a puffer.

He's truly an Aqua pet and quite the glutton at feeding time. His name is spike because he has 3 broken spikes on his back that I thought he would grow out of, but they keep growing as well.

He is a pufferfish though! He’s a porcupine pufferfish even if you haven’t seen him puffed!

 

[reefermadnes5]

HEWBIE!!!! I love him with all my heart. He’s my saltwater puppy dog. You truly haven’t experienced the joy of owning an aquarium until you get a pufferfish. They are one of the smartest most personable fish you can keep.

Beauty!

 

[jasonrusso]

He is a pufferfish though! He’s a porcupine pufferfish even if you haven’t seen him puffed!

Yes I understand, but porcupine fish and puffers are different orders. Puffers don't have spikes

 

[AydenLincoln]

Yes I understand, but porcupine fish and puffers are different orders. Puffers don't have spikes

This is true…not all puffers are porcupine fish but all porcupine fish are puffers. Because if it can huff and puff and blow up like a balloon it is a puffer in unofficial terms lol!

 

[Dave Reef]

I have a Blue Spotted Toby Puffer in my 70 gallon reef tank. I have a fair amount of mixed corals and a Kole Tang, a Coral Beauty Angel, a Violet Dottyback, 3 PJ Cardinals, a Percula Clownfish, a skunk cleaner shrimp and some assorted snails and a pincushion urchin. I have had the puffer for about 6 months. I do have a couple of leather toadstools with long tentacles that look like they were eaten and a couple of zoas that got damaged. I have not seen anything eating them so I don't really know if it was the puffer or the coral beauty or the Urchin or something else??? Most of my corals are and other inhabitants are fine. Since I got the puffer, my cleaner shrimp hides more, where he used to be front and center. The puffer loves me and follows me around the room which is cool. He bites me when I put my hands in the tank, which is not cool.